In
August, Nissan will begin taking firm orders for the LEAF. Finally,
in December, deliveries of the first LEAF EVs will take place around
the same time in the United States, Japan, and Europe.

For
inquiring minds, the battery pack will be included in the purchase
price of the LEAF contrary to previous reports and speculation on the
subject. Speaking of pricing, a Nissan spokesman claims that the
official price of the LEAF -- which will also be announced in April
-- will be close to that of a base
model Toyota Prius. Toyota's Prius currently retails for just
under $23,000 in the United States, so that would be an astonishing
feat for the Japanese automaker.

We're
more inclined to be believe that the "low 20s" price tag is
after a $7,500
federal tax credit which is sure to attract quite a few buyers.
However, if the price tag is before the $7,500 credit, Nissan
dealerships might have trouble keeping up with demand for the compact
hatchback.

"The
Nissan LEAF purchase process is effortless, transparent and
accessible, offering value with a one-stop-shop approach for
everything related to the car, including the assessment, permitting
and installation of in-home battery charging units," said Carlos
Tavares, Chairman, Nissan Americas. "We want everyone to feel
good about having a car that is affordable, fun to drive and good for
the environment."

The
Nissan LEAF uses a 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an 80kW
electric motor (107hp). The vehicle has a maximum range of 100 miles
and can travel at up to 87 mph which should be fast enough for just
about every U.S. market save for Atlanta.

Although
not a full-electric vehicle like the LEAF, the Chevrolet Volt will
also be vying for a place U.S. customers' garages this year. The Volt
will hit the streets in the closing months of 2010 and could be priced in the low $30,000 range after a $7,500 federal tax credit.
The Volt has a battery-only range of 40 miles, but can use its
gasoline engine/generator to travel an additional 300 miles.

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